Give Your Input-Rocky Reach Trail Gate Closures

Rocky Reach Trail gate closures were originally created to offset landowner concerns that trail use would interfere with agricultural use. Gates were to be closed from 8:00 am to noon, April to July, to allow for agricultural activities.

This was to be reviewed within 24 months of the trail opening. Since the trail has now been open for more than 2 years, we as a community have the opportunity to voice our opinion to have the gate closure policy eliminated or to continue with the gate closures. There are many in our community who feel this gate closure policy has not been helpful to the landowners, the trail users, or the State Park employees.

Douglas County is now accepting public comment about the potential for eliminating the gate closures at the North and the South end of the Rocky Reach Trail.

The Complete the Loop Coalition supports the elimination of gate use for the Rocky Reach Trail. “No other Washington State Park trail has stringent requirements like these. Agricultural activity is more than 100 feet from the trail, wholesale storage of bee hives no longer exists in this area, and there has been no documented trespass or vandalism”, says Mike Sorenson Complete the Loop Coalition board member.